The Red Devils tried to sign Pato in the summer but Corinthians' president Roberto de Andrade told Tutto Mercato Web: "There is an agreement in principle with Liverpool for the transfer in the coming weeks."

Before the winger scored at Old Trafford today, Van Gaal said: "He is a young player that has grasped the opportunities he's been given.

"Since Jesse came on in the game against Everton at Goodison Park, he has shown what an intelligent footballer he is, being a good reader of the game and always looking for opportunities going forward.

'Jesse has been close to scoring his first competitive goal for us in each of the matches he has featured and I am sure it will not be long until he gets that first goal.'